Entry Description: It takes a little more than an hour from the Metropolis of Tokyo to get to Odawara, one of Japan’s oldest hatago areas (traditional Japanese inn areas). A hatago is the forerunner of modern-day Japanese inns, where the culture of “Omotenashi” (generous hospitality) was born, a culture for which Japan is globally recognized. Odawara is blessed with rich nature, where traditional crafts such as yosegi zaiku (traditional Japanese parquetry) and kumiki zaiku (wooden puzzles) have been passed down to subsequent generations until now. The grand concept of this project is to make a “modern hatago” where guests can experience the traditions, stories, and bounty of nature that the area has to offer. This hotel is located on a gently sloping mountain, where all rooms command a beautiful view of the sea. In order to take maximum advantage of the view, the rooms are intentionally designed to attach importance to understated beauty rather than powerful pomposity with consideration given to space-conscious harmonization of the rooms and view. The idea of harmony between the inner and outer areas is based on Japanese aesthetics, which creates a calm space to heal hotel guests. The design is accented here and there with Japanese traditional colors, such as vermilion and blue violet, while also allowing visitors to see the motifs of pine trees and plum trees, which are the symbolic trees of Odawara and Japan, respectively, in various places in the hotel. The aim of this project has been to achieve a fusion between Japanese traditions and the contemporary hotel brand.

About the Designer/Company
Originally established as the interior design department of NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD, Nikken Space Design (NSD) has more than 60 years of experience in the field. As a part of the Nikken group since 1994, NSD now works not only with Nikken Sekkei but is also in partnership with various architects and artists. With 60 highly experienced designers, NSD is currently working on numerous design projects for Japanese and international clients. NSDâ€™s wide range of projects cover interior design for hotels, highâ€“rise offices, retail complexes, hospitals, educational institutions, restaurants, shops and even private residences. As a result, the company can accommodate all kinds of clientsâ€™ needs. One of NSDâ€™s main principles is to bring high quality solutions in interior design, specifying furniture, fixture and equipment (FF&E).